Battles

Margaret River, Western Australia

SUSTAINABLE, MINIMAL INTERVENTION

Battles Wine was started by friends Lance Parkin (winemaker) and Kris Ambrozkiewicz (sommelier, sales). Lance was a wine- maker at Houghton in the Swan Valley before the sale to the Yukich family in ’19, at which point the Swan Valley-based component of the Houghton team disbanded and formed their own ventures.

Battles focuses on a small collection of tiny- quantity wines from a variety of regions (at this stage, the Perth Hills, Margaret River, Great Southern and Geographe) made with great attention to detail, and vineyard provenance top of mind. Kris Ambrozkiewicz (aka Ambro) has a longstanding and intense love of wine, an impressively honed bank of wine knowledge and years of sales experience.

2023 ONE ARMED SCISSOR CHARDONNAY – PERTH HILLS & MARGARET RIVER, WA

50% Perth Hills, Lower Chittering – Christos Vineyard & 50% Margaret River, Burnside – Ellens Ridge All grapes are handpicked from both vineyards, before chilling overnight. Whole bunch pressing the following morning precedes wild fermentation on full solids in barrique and puncheon barrels with a few whole bunches thrown in for a little extra character. Roughly 80% MLF conversion for added texture. In barrel for roughly 9 months before bottling. Nectarine and a snap of citrus. Creamy mouth filling texture with nutty cashew notes, the buttery richness balanced by the fresh Margaret River acidity. A little funk and grip adds to the intrigue and individuality.

2023 BATTLES MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY – MARGARET RIVER, WA

Ellens Ridge vineyard in the Burnside sub region of Margaret River, with soils of loam over deep gravel. Vines are twenty five years old with cane prune training. The vines are naturally balanced and this block is generally medium to low yielding. The fruit comes from the western part of the vineyard with North/ South facing rows. A stand of trees along the western edge of the vineyard offers good protection from severe sea breezes and the afternoon sun. The vineyard is in the middle zone of Margaret River so the wine has finer definition and tension. The fruit was handpicked, to maximise quality and then whole bunch pressed for gentle extraction of the juice. The Chardonnay was pressed directly into 25% new Louis Latour, Mercurey and Chassin oak along with seasoned barrels of varying ages. Spontaneous fermentation was allowed by indigenous yeast followed by natural, partial malolactic fermentation, to provide depth and complexity to the palate and aromatics. The wine was matured in oak for 8 months on lees, before the wine was lightly fined and stabilised. The wine had minimal fining and filtration to provide natural character and texture. The 2023 Battles Chardonnay shows elegance, yet power with intense fruit characters of white peach and lemon curd, with floral notes of acacia blossom. There is a balance between the acid spine, powerful fruit intensity and complexity from the toasty oak and creamy finish. A nice textural grip frames the wine and gives an amazing persistent length.

2023 ONE ARMED SCISSOR SAUVIGNON BLANC - MARGARET RIVER, WA

From the legends behind the Battles label (that’s Lance Parkin, Kris Ambrozkiewicz and Richard Healy), this is One Armed Scissor, named after At the Drive-In. “A fresh and vibrant wine with aromatics of gooseberry and guava, with creamy high notes from some time in French oak. Perfect in the sun.”

2022 BATTLES BLENDABERG WHITE - GREAT SOUTHERN, WA

The 2022 Battles Blendaberg of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Grigio shows pronounced aromas of kaffir lime, lemongrass and a floral orange blossom lift. Intense fruit characters of grapefruit, mandarin and a delicate ginger spice note. Lingering and long, with an upfront texture to the wine. There is a nice balance between the salivating acid and powerful fruit intensity.

2022 BATTLES RIESLING - MT BARKER, WA - LIMITED

100% Riesling from Mount Barker, WA. Fermented in stainless steel for purity and finesse. Aromas of citrus lemon and white pears. Fuller body and incredible acid that lingers on the palate like someone that doesn’t want to leave. Approachable, one would almost be inclined to say… Smashable.

2022 BATTLES PINOT GRIGIO - FRANKLAND RIVER, WA

Appearance: Bright, pale lemon with a slight copper tinge

Nose: Clean and pronounced aromas of spiced pear, licorice, blossom and freshly cut green apples. There is a complexing savoury aromatic note.

Palate: The 2021 Battles Pinot Grigio shows elegance yet power, with intense fruit characters of spiced pear, green melon and apple, with floral white flower notes. A nicely weighted and textural palate frames the wine and gives lingering spice notes, finishing clean chalky and dry.

2022 BATTLES BURNSIDE CHARDONNAY - MARGARET RIVER, WA

The 2023 vintage saw a wet winter, followed by a mild summer that allowed for ideal flavour development in the grapes. The Burnside Chardonnay is a selection of exceptional barrels, with the wine showing vibrant, toasty funk on the nose, progressing into a detailed palate of grapefruit, cashew paste and flint. There are complexing notes of toast and fennel cream from time spent in barrel.

2022 BATTLES ROSE - GEOGRAPHE, WA

“Shiraz based Rose sourced from the Barrecas vineyard in Geographe. Picked early to retain natural acid, and pressed without sulphur. Savoury palate with bursts of dried strawberry.” – Battles

2021 BATTLES RED BLEND - FRANKLAND RIVER + GEOGRAPHE , WA

The Battles 2021 Red Blend is made up of 52% Mourvèdre and 48% Shiraz. The 2021 vintage was cool, providing perfumed aromatics, with particular vibrance from the Mourvèdre giving red fruit and violet notes. The palate is bright and fresh, with spice, raspberry and plum whilst framed by a soft tannin profile. Enjoy in its youth and up to 5 years of age.

2022 BATTLES FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ - FRANKLAND RIVER, WA

WA clone shiraz, hand picked and crushed to open fermenter with 20% whole bunch. Hand plunged twice daily during primary fermentation before being basket pressed to neutral French oak after 14 days on skins. Aged for 12 months in barrique before being assembled for bottling. Bright red and blue fruits, backed by savoury aromas synonymous with Frankland River Shiraz. Thanks to some whole bunch and neutral oak, the tannins are soft and pretty, keeping the palate light and juicy.

2024 ONE ARMED SCISSOR WHITE BLEND - GREAT SOUTHERN, WA

A vibrant and well-rounded white blend showcasing the essence of Great Sothern’s cool-climate terroir. Expect a bouquet of ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot, balanced with citrus notes of lemon zest and lime. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious blend of fresh tropical flavors, hints of green apple, and a touch of floral complexity. Crisp acidity leads to a clean, refreshing finish, making it an excellent choice for warm afternoons or pairing with light seafood dishes.

2023 ONE ARMED SCISSOR RED - MARGARET RIVER, WA

A vibrant and expressive red blend bursting with layers of juicy red fruits, including ripe cherries, wild strawberries, and plums. Subtle notes of forest floor and earthy undertones add complexity, while delicate hints of warm baking spices, such as clove and cinnamon, weave through the palate.

The wine’s bright acidity lifts the fruit, giving it freshness and energy, while soft, supple tannins provide a gentle structure. Balanced and approachable, this easy-drinking red offers both vibrancy and finesse, making it perfect for casual sipping or pairing with a variety of dishes.

2024 BATTLES TEMPRANILLO - MARGARET RIVER, WA

The 2024 Battles Tempranillo opens with pretty, lifted aromatics of ripe blackberry, red cherry, and hints of wild raspberry, creating an inviting and fruit-forward introduction. The palate is medium-bodied, delivering a generous core of juicy red fruits supported by a fine, savoury tannin structure that provides both grip and elegance.

Layers of gentle spice — including hints of clove, black pepper, and subtle oak — unfold across the mid-palate, adding complexity. Earthy undertones, reminiscent of sun-warmed soil and dried herbs, bring a sense of place to the wine. The balanced acidity ensures freshness, while the wine draws long into a supple, spice-laced finish. This Tempranillo is vibrant yet refined, capturing both the varietal’s charm and the character of Margaret River’s cool climate.

2024 BATTLES MALBEC - GEOGRAPHE , WA

Sourced from the esteemed Barreca vineyard in Donnybrook, Western Australia, the 2024 Battles Malbec reflects a season of climatic extremes. A cool, wet winter gave the vines a healthy start, followed by a warm, dry spring that allowed for steady ripening. A hot summer accelerated development, resulting in a ripe and expressive Malbec that balances power with elegance.

The nose offers perfumed aromatics of blackberries, mulberries, and dark plums, lifted by hints of violet and subtle dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is slick, juicy, and fruit-driven, with layers of blackcurrant and blueberry compote, accented by gentle spice notes of clove and anise. Time spent in French oak lends delicate hints of cedar, tobacco leaf, and fine-grained tannins, adding structure and depth. The wine’s natural acidity ensures freshness, balancing its rich fruit profile. Approachable now, this Malbec also has the backbone to age gracefully over the next 7 to 10 years, evolving further complexity and charm.

Vintage	Wine	Availability
2022	BATTLES SHIRAZ	SOLD OUT
2023	BATTLES BURNSIDE CHARDONNAY - MARGARET RIVER, WA	SOLD OUT
2023	BATTLES TEMPRANILLO - MARGARET RIVER, WA	SOLD OUT
2023	BATTLES MALBEC - GEOGRAPHE, WA	SOLD OUT